Vibrator and circuit for same



y 1940- s. F. JAMES 2.200.064

VIBRATOR AND CIRCUIT FOR SAME Filed March 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fizigo/zcj zflfczmea %mzwa/rzizw/ wamz V ATTORNEYS- y 1940' s. F. JAMES VIBRATOR AND CIRCUIT FOR SAME 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1938 INVENTOR. JZep/zem fFJa/nea, BY Wm ATTORNEYQ. I

Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIBRATOR AND CIRCUIT FOR SAME Stephen F. James, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 26,

12 Claims.

This invention has to do with vibrators of the type commonly used in direct current transformer systems. It is especially adapted for energizing a transformer from a direct current source of energy.

A vibrator constructed in accordance with the invention is especially well suited for use in connection with automobile radio receivers where the current for the operation of the radio receiver 30 is obtained from a 6-volt storage battery, but it may also be used with other kinds of electrical equipment wherever similar interruption of current is required.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a vibrator in which the circuit for the same is so arranged as to give a high degree of emciency in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved vibrator the operation of which is not dependent upon the presence of a transformer in the circuit.

Another object is to provide an improved vibrator which is so constructed and arranged as to permit of ready adjustment of the contacts and thereby insure continued efficiency in operation over a long period of time.

The new vibrator is simple in construction,

easily accessible for adjustment of the contacts, and can be produced at comparatively small expense.

' While the foregoing statements are indicative in a general way of the nature of the invention, other more specific objects and advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction of the vibrator and arrangement of the circuit for the same. I

A preferred embodiment of the invention is presented herein together with certain variants for the purpose of exemplification, but it will of course be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in still other modified but equivalent forms coming equally within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the container for the vibrator, with the vibrator shown therein in side elevation, the former being shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the vibrator taken on the irregular line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is another vertical section through the vibrator taken on the irregular line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the vibrator;

1938, Serial No. 198,205

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an inclined section, taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for the vibrator with a transformer and condenser;

Fig. 8 is a diagram of the circuit without any transformer included therein and being otherwise like Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of a somewhat modified embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a diagram of another modification.

The circuit shown in Fig. 7 includes a transformer Ill which has the usual primary coil H and secondary coil l2. The coil H is connected approximately midway between its ends by leads l3 and H to the positive terminal of a battery IS the opposite terminal of which is grounded at 16. One of the ends of the thusly divided coil II is connected by leads I! and 18 to a contact l9, while the other end of the coil H is connected by a lead 20 to a contact 2!. The contacts l9 and 2| are adapted to be engaged alternately by two contacts 22 and 23 which are mounted on and grounded through a weighted vibrating reed 24, the weight 36 thereon being of soft steel or iron so as to serve as an armature. This armature 36 has a considerable amount of residual magnetism so as to be ultimately retracted and repelled by the reversible magnetism in the motivating electromagnet hereinafter referred to.

When the reed 24 vibrates in one direction current from the battery I5 will flow in one direction through one section of the primary coil I I of the transformer, and when the reed vibrates in the other direction current from the battery will flow in the reverse direction through the other section of the primary coil, thus producing alternating current in the secondary coil l2 of the transformer. This secondary coil l2 has a condenser 25 connected across its output leads 26 and 21.

The reed 2! is caused to vibrate by an electromagnet 28 acting on the vibrator weight-armature 36, which electromagnet is continuously energized by a coil 29. One end of the coil 29 is connected by leads 30 and I4 to the positive terminal of the battery 15, while the other end of the coil 29 is grounded at 3|. This coil, which 1 is in the circuit of the battery l5 at all times, acts through the electromagnet 28 to swing the reed 24 and move the contact 22 on the reed into engagement with'the contact l9, thereby magnetized by another coil 32. One end of the coil 32 is connected by leads 30 and H (which leads are also common to the coil 28) to the positive terminal of the battery l5, while the other end of the coil 32 is connected by leads 33 and I8 to the contact l8. Since the contact I8 is grounded at this instant by reason of its engagement with the contact 22, the coil 32 will neutralize the action of the continuously energized coil 28 and will demagnetize the electromagnet 28, allowing the reed 24 with its contacts to spring back awayfrom the contact I8 and because of its inertia to swing into engagement with the contact 2 I.

When the contact 22 moves away from the contact l8 the flow of current through the upper section of the primary coil ceases, and as soon as the contact 23 engages with the contact 2| 9. flow of current takes place in the opposite direction through the lower section of the primary coil. This rapid reversal of current flow takes place with each movement of the reed 24.

When the contact 22 leaves the contact l3 it opens the circuit of the demagnetizing coil 32, thus allowing the continuously energized coil 28 to act upon the,electromagnet 28 to swing the reed 24 back (toward the right) again, the weighting of the reedv meanwhile carrying the latter far enough to bring about engagement of the contact 23 with the contact 2|.

In an arrangement of this sort the condenser 25 which is connected across the leads 28 and 21 from the secondary coil l2 of the transformer keeps down the peak in the secondary coil and keeps the primary and secondary coils in phase, which is reflected indirectly in the operation of the reed 24. When the contact 2| is engaged by the contact 23, the coil 29 of the core 28 is aided by the alternating current 'in the lower section of the primary coil After starting and when the contacts l8 and 22 are open, the coil 32 aids the coil 28 through the complete cycle of vibration of the reed 24 until such contacts are again closed, at which time the coil 32 of course opposes thecoil 29. I

, From the foregoing it will be-understood that the vibrating means of the present invention is not dependent for its operation upon the presence of the transformer l0, and will operate with or without the transformer. The apparatus is furthermore capable of operation on either direct or alternating current. The action of the vibrating means is a positive one; there is less resistance in the circuit due to the character of the hookup employed; it does not rely upon short-circuiting of the energizing coil; and whatever potential drop occurs between the contacts is compensated for by the upper section of the primary coil of the transformer in making the demagnetization complete.

frame. The reed 24, which is made of spring metal, is clamped at one end between the ends of the strip forming the frame. The other end of the reed-carries a weight 35 such as above referred to which terminates just short of the laterally oifset pole-piece 31 of the electromagnet. Adjacent its anchored end the reed 24 ha secured thereto by rivets 38 two small outwardly diverging spring arms 38 and 40, on which the contacts 22 and: 23 are mounted. Beyond these arms the reed 24 is cut out at 4| along its center to provide spaced weight depending arms or fingers to decrease its weight and increase its flexibility and resiliency.

The contacts I! and 2|, with which the contacts 22 and 23 alternately engage, are carried by two spring arms 42 and 43 which are attached to the sides of the frame 34 in insulated relation thereto by special rivets 44 provided with interposed insulating dislrs 45. The contacts l8 and 2|, instead of being secured directly to the arms 42 and 43, are fastened to small integrally associated spring tongues 48 and 41 which are cut from the arms within the contour of the latter. These tongues permit the contacts I8 and 2| to yield somewhat with respect to the arms 42 and 43 when engaged by the contacts 22 and 23.

The arms 42 and 43 are flexed resiliently in toward the center o: the frame from the anchoring rivets 44 by means of small insulating rods 48 which bear against the arms 42 and 43 in indentations 48 formed in the latter and are socketed in cup-shaped adjusting screws 50. The screws 50 are threaded into converging portions of the sides of the frame 34 in generally right angular relation to the flexed ends of the arms 42 and 43, and are locked in adjusted position by-nuts The arms 42 and 43 are provided with small lateral extensions 52 at their anchored ends to which the ends of the leads l8 and 23 are soldered.

The above described mounting of the stationary contacts I! and 2| and movable contacts 22 and 23 produces a wiping actionwhen the contacts engage with each other, and the adjustable flexing of the free ends of the arms 42 and 43 permits of accurate setting and easy adjustment of the spacing between the contacts without resort to distortion of the vibrator parts.

The circuit shown in Fig. 8 is the same as the circuit shown in Fig. 7 except that the trans former has been entirely omitted to illustrate the independent operability of the vibrator itself.

A somewhat modified embodiment of the invention is shown in diagrammatic form in Fig. 9, wherein a second core 53 is arranged on the 0pposite side of the reed 24 from the core 28. With two such pole-pieces, one is used to move the armature in one direction and the other is used to move it in the other direction. The core 53 is energized by a coil 54 which is connected across the leads l1 and 20. This double motor coil arrangement insures a more definite and positive engagement of the contacts 22 and 23 with the contacts l8 and 2|, resulting in a higher output in the secondary of the transformer due to the improved contact, gives a higher amplitude, with a greater application of power, and insures an even wear of the contacts.

Substantially'the same result can be accomplished in a somewhat different way by utilization of the circuit illustrated in Fig. 10, it being understood that the armature 35 has suiilcient residual'magnetism to contribute substantial repelling force. In this modified circuit two similar coils 55 and 55 are associated with the elec- ,tromagnet 2B. These coils. are reversely wound,

so that each coil isinthecir'cuit witha corresponding half cyclerespectiv'ely, the coil 55 en- 56; Coil 56 is energized directly from the batteryand so its energyis somewhat greater than that of coil 55. The coil 56 is in phase with the primary of thetransfor-mer. When the-coil 55 is ener gized the weight 36 on the reed 24 assumes an opposite polarity, and upon the closing of the contacts l9 and 22 the coil 55 is shorted and the coil 56 is introduced in the circuit, reversing the polarity of the core 28 and thereby repelling the reed weight or armature 35 due to residual magnetism in'said weight.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a transformer having the primary coil thereof connected intermediate its ends with one side of a source of power, of a pair of contacts respectively connected to the opposite ends of the primary coil, a vibrating reed connected to the opposite side of said source of power for alternately engaging said contacts in its vibration, and an electromagnet for vibrating the reed, said electromagnet having two coils, one of which is so connected as to energize the electromagnet continuously, and the other of which is so connected as to de-energize the electromagnet every half cycle, and said de-energizing coil being arranged and connected permanently in shunt relation to one of the sections of the primary coil.

2. In a vibrating unit of the character described, a frame containing an electromagnet, a vibrating reed in operative relation to the electromagnet, and spring arms at opposite sides of the reed; contacts on the reed, opposed contacts on the arms, and means for flexing the arms toward or away from the reed to adjust the spacing,

of the contacts, said means consisting of cupshaped set screws in the frame, and insulating rods socketed in the screws in engagement with the backs of the arms.

3. In a vibrating unit of the character described, a frame containing an electromagnet, a vibrating reed in operative relation to the electromagnet, and spring arms at opposite sides of the reed; contacts on the reed, opposed contacts on the arms, and means for flexing the arms toward or away from the reed to adjust the spacing of the contacts, said means consisting of cup-shaped set screws in the frame, and insulating rods socketed in the screws in engagement with the bottoms of laterally interlocking depressions formed in the backs of the free ends of the arms.

4. In a vibrating unit of the character described, a frame containing an electromagnet, a vibrating reed in operative relation to the electromagnet, and spring arms at opposite sides of the reed; other relatively small spring arms diverging from opposite sides of the reed, contacts mounted on the last mentioned spring arms, spring tongues on the first mentioned spring arms, and contacts mounted on the spring tongues.

5. In a vibrating unit of the character described, a frame containing an electromagnet, a vibrating reed in operative relation to the electromagnet, and spring arms at opposite sides of the reed; other relatively small spring arms diverging the reed adjacent its free weighted end to render from opposite sides of the reed, contacts mounted on the last mentioned springarms, spring tongues on the first mentioned spring arms, contacts mounted on thespring tongues, and means for flexing thefirst mentioned spring arms toward 5 or away from the reed, whereby toadjust the spacing of the contacts without interferingwith the readily yieldable mounting for the contacts afforded by the spring tongues.

6. In a vibrator of the class'described a reed 10 .fixed at one end and weighted atits opposite endi'or vibration, said reed being relatively stiff at its fixed end and being provided with an aperture of substantial size relative to the area of 15 said free end of said reed accordingly more flexible, whereby each interval of contact is prolonged and the contact pressure is rendered more nearly uniform during its period.

7. A vibrator of the class described comprising an adjustable tongued-contact member in combination with a vibrator reed operatively related to said contact member, and a frame on which said contact member and reed are mounted, which contact member consists of an oblong spring plate, one end of which is rigidly mounted on said frame, and the other end having a relatively narrow yielding tongue and means adjustably mounted on said frame to bear against the free end of said contact member to adjust the latter relative to said reed and said tongue being disposed to contact electrically at its free end with said reed when the latter swings toward said contact member.

8. In a vibrator of the class described a frame having a vibrator reed operatively attached thereto in combination with a pair of spring arms mounted on said frame on opposite sides of said reed, said arms each being rigidly fixed at one end, means on said frame adjustable inwardly and outwardly and bearing against the free ends of said arms respectively, each of said arms including a yielding tongue part, and said reed and tongue parts having corresponding contacts positioned to be engaged alternately in respective pairs as the reed vibrates.

9. A device of the class described comprising a transformer, a core having a continuous winding, a source of direct current having one side connected to a medial point of said winding through one-half of the transformer primary and thence to the other side of said source, and the other one-half of said winding being connected through the other half of said primary, a reed vibrator having fixed and free .ends, the fixed end being connected to the opposite side of said source and the said free end having a combined weight and armature normally offset somewhat from one end of said core for electro-magnetic relation thereto, a pair of fixed contacts to which said vibrator is operatively related for alternate connection, and appropriate wiring connections for said parts, said armature having appreciable residual magnetism so that one coil part will tend to repel and the other attract it.

10. In a vibrator of the class described a frame having a vibrator reed operatively attached thereto in combination with a pair of spring arms mounted on said frame on opposite sides of said reed, and pointing oppositely relative thereto, said arms each being rigidly fixed at one end, means on said frame to adjust the free ends of said arms inwardly more-or-less against their tension whereby they are inclined to said reed, said reed having yielding tongue parts, one on 75 each side and inclined outwardly and parallel with the corresponding spring arms, and said arms and tongue parts having corresponding contacts positioned to be engaged alternately in respective pairs as the reed vibrates from one side to the other.

11. In a vibrator of the class described a frame having a vibrator reed operatively attached thereto in combination with a pair of angularly positioned arm members, each rigidly mounted at one end to said frame, one on each side of said reed, yielding tongue parts on said reed, one on each side thereof and inclined outwardly and substantially parallel with the corresponding arm 1. members, and said arm members and tongue parts having corresponding contacts positioned to be engaged alternately in respective pairs as the reed vibrates from one side to the other.

12. In a vibrator oi the class described a flat, thin vibrator reed fixed at one end and being relatively stiil', the other end 01 said reed being provided with narrow depending spaced fingers extending along the side margins of said reed, and a weight secured on the distal ends or said fingers whereby the resiliency and flexibility oi! said reed is increased at its free end and each interval oi! contact is prolonged and contact pressure is rendered more nearly uniform during its period.

STEPIEN F. JAIMEB. 

